Camera accessory and camera

ABSTRACT

The camera accessory is attachable to a camera by relatively rotating from a first state to a second state. Camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin making contact with an accessory side contact holding portion in the first state and second camera side contact pins not making contact with the accessory side contact holding portion in the first state. Accessory side contact surfaces include a first accessory side contact surface making contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state and second accessory side contact surfaces not making contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. A pitch between the first and second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent thereto is larger than a pitch between the second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera and a camera accessory interchangeably attachable to the camera such as an interchangeable lens.

Description of the Related Art

Such camera accessories (each hereinafter simply referred to as “an accessory”) receive, in a state of being attached to a camera, supply of power from the camera and perform communication of commands, data or the like with the camera. In order to perform such supply of power and communication, an attachment portion (mount) of the camera and that of the accessory are provided with multiple electrical contacts (each hereinafter simply referred to as “a contact”) in which paired ones are brought into contact with each other to establish electrical connection. Moreover, as a method of the attachment (coupling) of the camera and the accessory, bayonet coupling is often used in which the mounts of the camera and accessory are relatively rotated to cause bayonet claws provided in the respective mounts to engage with each other.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-195633 discloses a camera and an interchangeable lens as an accessory respectively having a camera side mount and a lens side mount that are coupled with each other by the bayonet coupling method. In a coupling completion state after relative rotation of the camera side and lens side mounts, each of multiple camera side electrical contact pins provided in the camera side mount makes contact with corresponding each of multiple lens side electrical contact pins provided in the lens side mount. The camera side and lens side electrical contact pins are respectively held by camera side and lens side contact bases provided in the camera side and lens side mounts. The camera side contact base is provided with hole portions into which the camera side electrical contact pins are inserted to be held thereby, and each camera side electrical contact pin is biased in a direction (protruding direction) of protruding from the hole portion by a spring disposed between the camera side electrical contact pin and a printed wiring board placed at bottom of the hole portion. The lens side electrical contact surfaces (pins) are fixedly held by the lens side contact base.

Moreover, in the camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-195633, some of the multiple camera side electrical contact pins are disposed at a position (that is, a convex step) protruded toward the interchangeable lens further than the other camera side electrical contact pins. Hereinafter, “the other camera side electrical contact pins” are referred to as “first camera side contact pins”, and “the some camera side electrical contact pins” are referred to as “second camera side contact pins”. Furthermore, in the camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-195633, of the multiple lens side electrical contact surfaces, second lens side contact surfaces to make contact with the second camera side contact pins are disposed at a position recessed on an opposite side to the camera further than first lens side contact surfaces to make contact with the first camera side contact pins. The second camera side contact pins and the second lens side contact surfaces make contact with one another at end or immediately therebefore during the relative rotation of the camera and interchangeable lens in a direction (coupling direction) toward the coupling completion state. This configuration reduces a number of times at which the first and second camera side contact pins are scraped against the first and second lens side contact surfaces during the relative rotation of the camera and interchangeable lens in the coupling direction (and in a detaching direction), thereby suppressing wear of the camera side contact pins.

However, the camera and interchangeable lens disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-195633 first causes, before the relative rotation in the coupling direction, their mounts to make contact with each other in a direction (optical axis direction) in which a central axis of their relative rotation extends. At the time of the contact of the mounts, hard contact (hit) of the lens side contact base including the lens side contact surfaces to the first camera side contact pin might cause tilt of the first camera side contact pin from its original position or deformation (such as bending) thereof. Such tilt or deformation makes the first camera side contact pin unable to make contact with the corresponding first lens side contact surface, or causes the first camera side contact pin to make contact with another first lens side contact surface adjacent to the corresponding lens side contact surface, which prevents securement of normal (correct) electrical connection and thereby causes communication error between the camera and the interchangeable lens, operation failure of the camera or the interchangeable lens due to power source short-circuiting or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a camera and a camera accessory each capable of securing normal contact (normal electrical connection) between a contact pin and a contact surface to make contact therewith even if the contact pin is tilted or deformed.

The present invention provides as one aspect thereof a camera accessory detachably attachable to a camera. The camera accessory includes an accessory side mount to be detachably coupled with a camera side mount provided in the camera, the accessory side mount being provided with accessory side bayonet claws and being brought, by relative rotation with the camera side mount, from a first state in which each of the accessory side bayonet claws is inserted between camera side bayonet claws provided in the camera side mount into a second state in which the accessory side bayonet claws engage with the camera side bayonet claws to complete coupling of the accessory side and camera side mounts, an accessory side contact holding portion provided in the accessory side mount, and a plurality of accessory side contact surfaces arranged in a relative rotation direction of the accessory side and camera side mounts and held by the accessory side contact holding portion. The camera side mount is provided with a camera side contact holding portion and a plurality of camera side contact pins arranged in the relative rotation direction and held by the camera side contact holding portion so as to be movable in directions of protruding and retracting with respect to the camera side contact holding portion, and the accessory side contact surfaces make contact with the camera side contact pins in the second state to electrically connect the camera accessory with the camera. The camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin that makes contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state and second camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state, and the accessory side contact surfaces include a first accessory side contact surface that makes contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state, and second accessory side contact surfaces that do not make contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. In the relative rotation direction, a pitch between the first accessory side contact surface and the second accessory side contact surface adjacent thereto is larger than a pitch between the second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent to each other.

The present invention provides as another aspect thereof a camera accessory detachably attachable to a camera. The camera accessory includes an accessory side mount to be detachably coupled with a camera side mount provided in the camera, the accessory side mount being provided with accessory side bayonet claws and being brought, by relative rotation with the camera side mount, from a first state in which each of the accessory side bayonet claws is inserted between camera side bayonet claws provided in the camera side mount into a second state in which the accessory side bayonet claws engage with the camera side bayonet claws to complete coupling of the accessory side and camera side mounts, an accessory side contact holding portion provided in the accessory side mount, and a plurality of accessory side contact surfaces arranged in a relative rotation direction of the accessory side and camera side mounts and held by the accessory side contact holding portion. The camera side mount is provided with a camera side contact holding portion and a plurality of camera side contact pins arranged in the relative rotation direction and held by the camera side contact holding portion so as to be movable in directions of protruding and retracting with respect to the camera side contact holding portion, and the accessory side contact surfaces make contact with the camera side contact pins in the second state to electrically connect the camera accessory with the camera. The camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin that makes contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state and second camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state, and the accessory side contact surfaces include a first accessory side contact surface that makes contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state and second accessory side contact surfaces that do not make contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. In the relative rotation direction, an interval between the first accessory side contact surface and the second accessory side contact surface adjacent thereto is larger than an interval between the second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent to each other.

The present invention provides as still another aspect thereof a camera to which a camera accessory is detachably attachable. The camera includes a camera side mount to be detachably coupled with an accessory side mount provided in the camera accessory, the camera side mount being provided with camera side bayonet claws and being brought, by relative rotation with the accessory side mount, from a first state in which each of accessory side bayonet claws provided in the accessory side mount is inserted between the camera side bayonet claws into a second state in which the camera side bayonet claws engage with the accessory side bayonet claws to complete coupling of the camera side and accessory side mounts, a camera side contact holding portion provided in the camera side mount, and a plurality of camera side contact pins arranged in a relative rotation direction of the accessory side and camera side mounts and held by the camera side contact holding portion so as to be movable in directions of protruding and retracting with respect to the camera side contact holding portion. The accessory side mount is provided with an accessory side contact holding portion and a plurality of accessory side contact surfaces arranged in the relative rotation direction and held by the accessory side contact holding portion, and the camera side contact pins make contact with the accessory side contact surfaces in the second state to electrically connect the camera with the camera accessory. The camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin that makes contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state and second camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state. In the relative rotation direction, a pitch between the first camera side contact pin and the second camera side contact pin adjacent thereto is larger than a pitch between the second camera side contact pins adjacent to each other.

The present invention provides as yet another aspect thereof a camera accessory detachably attachable to a camera. The camera accessory includes an accessory side mount to be detachably coupled with a camera side mount provided in the camera, the accessory side mount being provided with accessory side bayonet claws and being brought, by relative rotation with the camera side mount, from a first state in which each of the accessory side bayonet claws is inserted between camera side bayonet claws provided in the camera side mount into a second state in which the accessory side bayonet claws engage with the camera side bayonet claws to complete coupling of the accessory side and camera side mounts, an accessory side contact holding portion provided in the accessory side mount, and a plurality of accessory side contact surfaces arranged in a relative rotation direction of the accessory side and camera side mounts and held by the accessory side contact holding portion. The camera side mount is provided with a camera side contact holding portion and a plurality of camera side contact pins arranged in the relative rotation direction and held by the camera side contact holding portion so as to be movable in directions of protruding and retracting with respect to the camera side contact holding portion, and the accessory side contact surfaces make contact with the camera side contact pins in the second state to electrically connect the camera accessory with the camera. The camera side contact pins include: a first camera side contact pin that makes contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state; and second camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state, and the accessory side contact surfaces include: a first accessory side contact surface that makes contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state; and second accessory side contact surfaces that do not make contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. In the relative rotation direction, a width of the first accessory side contact surface is larger than a width of the second accessory side contact surface.

The present invention provides as further another aspect thereof a camera to which a camera accessory is detachably attachable. The camera includes a camera side mount to be detachably coupled with an accessory side mount provided in the camera accessory, the camera side mount being provided with camera side bayonet claws and being brought, by relative rotation with the accessory side mount, from a first state in which each of accessory side bayonet claws provided in the accessory side mount is inserted between the camera side bayonet claws into a second state in which the camera side bayonet claws engage with the accessory side bayonet claws to complete coupling of the camera side and accessory side mounts, a camera side contact holding portion provided in the camera side mount, and a plurality of camera side contact pins arranged in a relative rotation direction of the accessory side and camera side mounts and held by the camera side contact holding portion so as to be movable in directions of protruding and retracting with respect to the camera side contact holding portion. The accessory side mount is provided with an accessory side contact holding portion and a plurality of accessory side contact surfaces arranged in the relative rotation direction and held by the accessory side contact holding portion, and the camera side contact pins make contact with the accessory side contact surfaces in the second state to electrically connect the camera with the camera accessory. The camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin that makes contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state and second camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the accessory side contact holding portion including the accessory side contact surfaces in the first state, and the accessory side contact surfaces include a first accessory side contact surface that makes contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state and second accessory side contact surfaces that do not make contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. The camera side mount is configured to be coupled with the accessory side mount in which, in the relative rotation direction, a width of the first accessory side contact surface is larger than a width of the second accessory side contact surface.

The present invention provides as yet still another aspect thereof a camera accessory including a first contact surface to be used for indicating type of the camera accessory, a second contact surface to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system, and a third contact surface to be used for a communication clock signal. An interval between the first contact surface and the second contact surface adjacent to each other is larger than an interval between the second contact surface and the third contact surface adjacent to each other.

The present invention provides as further another aspect thereof a camera including a first contact pin to be used for receiving indication of type of a camera accessory connected to the camera, a second contact pin to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system, and a third contact pin to be used for a communication clock signal. A pitch between the first contact pin and the second contact pin adjacent to each other is larger than a pitch between the second contact pin and the third contact pin adjacent to each other.

The present invention provides as still further another aspect thereof a camera accessory including a first contact surface to be used for indicating type of the camera accessory, a second contact surface to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system, and a third contact surface to be used for a communication clock signal. A width of the first contact surface is larger than widths of the second and third contact surfaces.

The present invention provides as yet still further another aspect thereof a camera accessory including a plurality of contact surfaces including a first contact surface to be used for indicating type of the camera accessory and a second contact surface to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system. An interval between the first contact surface and the second contact surface adjacent to each other is larger than a smallest interval among intervals of each two mutually adjacent ones of the plurality of contact surfaces.

The present invention provides as further another aspect thereof a camera accessory including a plurality of contact surfaces including a first contact surface to be used for indicating type of the camera accessory and a second contact surface to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system. A width of the first contact surface is larger than a smallest one of widths of the plurality of contact surfaces.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing an electrical configuration of a camera and an interchangeable lens attached thereto, which are Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show configurations of mounts and connectors, which are provided in the camera and interchangeable lens of Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views of the connectors.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connectors.

FIGS. 5A to 5H show relationships of the connectors during a coupling process of the mounts in Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are enlarged views of FIGS. 5D to 5H.

FIGS. 7A and 7B shows lens side contact patterns in Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show camera side contact pins in a coupling completion state of the mounts in Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show the camera side contact pins in an intermediate rotation state of the mounts in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 10 shows camera side contact pins in a modified example of Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 11A to 11C show lens side contact patterns and camera side contact pins in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIGS. 11D to 11F show lens side contact patterns and camera side contact pins in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show camera side contact pins in another modified example of Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are block diagrams showing connection of lens type determining devices provided in first and second interchangeable lenses with a camera microcomputer in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voltage converter in Embodiment 1.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are timing charts showing examples of input and output timings of the camera microcomputer in Embodiment 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1A shows an interchangeable lens 100 as a camera accessory and a camera 10 to which the interchangeable lens 100 is detachably (that is, interchangeably) attached, which are Embodiment 1 of the present invention and constitute a camera system. The camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 each have a mount 1 provided with electrical contacts for supplying source power from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100 and for performing communication therebetween. Although this embodiment describes the interchangeable lens as the camera accessory detachably attachable to the camera, other camera accessories are also included in other embodiments of the present invention.

The camera 10 includes an image sensor (image pickup element) 11 that photoelectrically converts an object image as an optical image formed by an image taking lens 101 housed in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an analog electrical signal. Moreover, the camera 10 includes an A/D converter 12 that converts the analog electrical signal output from the image sensor 11 into a digital signal and an image processor 13 that performs various image processes on the digital signal to produce an image signal. The image signal (still image or video) produced by the image processor 13 is displayed on a display device 14 or recorded in a recording medium 15.

The camera 10 further includes a memory 16 that serves as a buffer for performing the process on the image signal and stores operation programs to be used by a camera controller 18 described later. The camera 10 is additionally provided with an operational input device 17 that includes a power switch for switching power on and off, an image capturing switch for starting recording of the image signal and a selection/setting switch for performing setting in various menus. The camera controller 18 including a microcomputer controls the image processor 13 according to signals from the operational input device 17 and controls communication with the interchangeable lens 100.

On the other hand, the interchangeable lens 100 includes a lens driver 102 that drives actuators to move a focus lens, a zoom lens, an aperture stop and an image stabilizing lens included (but not shown) in the image taking lens 101. The interchangeable lens 100 is further provided with a lens controller 103 that includes a microcomputer and controls the lens driver 102 according to control signals from the camera controller 18 through the communication.

FIG. 1B shows terminals provided in the mount for electrical connection of the camera 10 (camera controller 18) and the interchangeable lens 100 (lens controller 103).

An LCLK terminal (1-1) is a terminal for a communication clock signal output from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100. A DCL terminal (1-2) is a terminal for communication data output from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100. A DLC terminal (1-3) is a terminal for communication data output from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 10.

An MIF terminal (1-4) is a terminal for detecting attachment of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 10. The microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “a camera microcomputer”) 20 in the camera controller 18 detects that the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera 10 on a basis of a voltage of the MIF terminal.

A DTEF terminal (1-5) is a terminal for detecting type of the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the camera 10. The camera microcomputer 20 detects (determines) the type of the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the camera 10 on a basis of a voltage of the DTEF terminal.

A VBAT terminal (1-6) is a terminal for supplying driving source power (VM) from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100; the driving source power is used for various operations of the interchangeable lens 100 such as drive of various actuators, except communication control. A VDD terminal (1-7) is a terminal for supplying communication controlling source power (VDD) from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100; the communication controlling source power is used for communication control in the interchangeable lens 100. A DGND terminal (1-8) is a terminal for connecting a communication control system of the camera 10 and interchangeable lens 100 to ground. A PGND terminal (1-9) is a terminal for connecting a mechanical drive system including the actuator such as a motor, which is provided in each of the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100, to the ground.

Description will hereinafter be made of a case where the camera 10 identifies, as the interchangeable lenses 100 of different types, a first interchangeable lens and a second interchangeable lens whose communication voltages are different from each other. The communication voltage will be described later.

A camera power supply 21 provided in the camera controller 18 converts a battery voltage supplied from a battery (not shown) included in the camera 10 into voltages necessary for operations of respective circuits in the camera 10. Specifically, the camera power supply 21 produces voltages V1, V2, V3 and VM.

The voltage V1 is a voltage as the communication controlling source power (VDD) of the first and second interchangeable lenses, and the communication voltage of the first interchangeable lens. The voltage V2 is the communication voltage of the second interchangeable lens. The voltage V3 is a voltage as an operating source power of the camera microcomputer 20. The voltage VM is, as mentioned above, a voltage as the driving source power of the actuators provided in the first and second interchangeable lenses. The voltage V1 is different from the voltage V2. On the other hand, the voltage V1 may be same as the voltage V3 or VM, and the voltage V2 may be same as the voltage V3 or VM (or may be different from both the voltages V3 and VM).

In response to turn-on of the power switch 22, the camera microcomputer 20 starts supply of the VDD and VM from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100. In response to turn-off of the power switch 22, the camera microcomputer 20 ends the supply of the VDD and VM from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100.

The camera microcomputer 20 performs communication with the interchangeable lens 100 through a voltage converter 23. The camera microcomputer 20 has an LCLK_OUT terminal for outputting a communication clock signal, a DCL_OUT terminal for sending communication data to the interchangeable lens 100 and a DLC_IN terminal for receiving communication data from the interchangeable lens 100. Moreover, the camera microcomputer 20 has an MIF_IN terminal for detecting the attachment of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 10, a DTEF_IN terminal for identifying the type of the attached interchangeable lens 100, and a CNT_V_OUT terminal for outputting a communication voltage switching signal to the voltage converter 23. The camera microcomputer 20 further has a CNT_VDD_OUT terminal for outputting a current-applying signal to the power switch 22, a connection terminal connected with the image processor 13 and another connection terminal connected with the operational input device 17. Operation of the voltage converter 23 will be described later.

A lens power supply 214 converts the VDD (V4) supplied from the camera 10 to the interchangeable lens 100 into a voltage V5. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “a lens microcomputer”) 211 in the lens controller 103 performs communication with the camera microcomputer 20 through the voltage converter 23. The lens microcomputer 211 has an LCLK_IN terminal for receiving the communication clock signal, a DLC_OUT terminal for sending the communication data to the camera 10, a DCL_IN terminal for receiving the communication data from the camera 10 and a connection terminal connected with the lens driver 102.

Description will be made of the detection of the attachment of the interchangeable lens (first and second interchangeable lenses) 100 to the camera 10. The MIF_IN terminal of the camera microcomputer 20 is pulled up to the source voltage by a resistance R2 (for example, 100KΩ) provided in the camera controller 18 and thereby becomes H (High) when the interchangeable lens 100 is not attached to the camera 10. On the other hand, the MIF_IN terminal is connected with the ground (GND) in the interchangeable lens 100 when the interchangeable lens (first and second interchangeable lenses) 100 is attached to the camera 10, and thereby becomes L (Low) at a point of time when the attachment of the interchangeable lens 100 is made, irrespective of the type of the attached interchangeable lens 100.

Description will be made of an exemplary configuration of the lens type determining device 213 provided in the lens controller 103 with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. The lens type determining device 213 is constituted by a resistance RL provided between the DTEF terminal in the mount 1 and the GND. A resistance value of the resistance RL is preset to a value assigned to the type of the interchangeable lens. For example, the resistance value of the resistance RL provided in the first interchangeable lens shown in FIG. 13A is set to 0Ω, and that of the resistance RL provided in the second interchangeable lens shown in FIG. 13B is set to 300KΩ.

In the camera 10, a resistance R1 (for example, 100KΩ) is connected between the DTEF terminal in the mount 1 and the voltage (V3) of the operating source power for the camera microcomputer 20, and the DTEF terminal is connected with the DTEF_IN terminal of the camera microcomputer 20. The DTEF_IN terminal of the camera microcomputer 20 is provided with an AD conversion function (10 Bit AD conversion function in this embodiment).

Description will be made of a lens type determination operation (hereinafter also referred to as “lens type determination”) of the camera microcomputer 20 for determining the type of the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the camera 10. The camera microcomputer 20 performs the lens type determination on the basis of the voltage value input to the DTEF_IN terminal. Specifically, the camera microcomputer 20 performs AD conversion of the input voltage value and performs the lens type determination by comparing the AD converted value with lens type determination references stored in the camera microcomputer 20.

For example, when the first interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10, the AD converted value of the voltage value input to the DTEF_IN terminal is decided, by a resistance ratio RL/(R1+RL) where R1 is 100KΩ and RL is 0Ω, as approximately “0x0000”. The camera microcomputer 20 detects that the AD converted value obtained from the DTEF_IN terminal is within a range of “0x0000 to 0x007F”, which is a first lens type determination reference, and thereby determines that the attached interchangeable lens is the first interchangeable lens. On the other hand, when the second interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10, the AD converted value of the voltage value input to the DTEF_IN terminal is decided, by the resistance ratio RL/(R1+RL) where R1 is 100KΩ and RL is 300Ω, as approximately “0x02FF”. The camera microcomputer 20 detects that the AD converted value obtained from the DTEF_IN terminal is within a range of “0x0280 to 0x037F”, which is a second lens type determination reference, and thereby determines that the attached interchangeable lens is the second interchangeable lens.

Although the above description was made of the case where the resistance value of the resistance RL of the first interchangeable lens is 0Ω, a configuration may be employed which directly connects the DTEF_IN terminal with the GND.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary configuration of the voltage converter 23. A voltage selector 51 has a function of outputting, to an OUT terminal, any one of two voltages input to a VIN1 terminal and a VIN2 terminal according to a logic signal at an SEL terminal. Specifically, the voltage selector 51 outputs the voltage input to the VIN1 terminal when the input to the SEL terminal is L, and the voltage selector 51 outputs the voltage input to the VIN2 terminal when the input to the SEL terminal is H. The voltage V1 is connected to the VIN1 terminal, the voltage V2 is connected to the VIN2 terminal, and the CNT_V_OUT terminal of the camera microcomputer 20 is connected to the SEL terminal. The output of the OUT terminal is hereinafter referred to as “Vs”.

Level shifters 52, 53 and 54 each have a function of converting a voltage of a signal input to an SIN terminal from a voltage at a VIN terminal into a voltage of a VOUT (VO in the figure) terminal and then outputting the converted voltage from an SOUT terminal.

In the level shifter 52, the SIN terminal is connected with the LCLK_OUT terminal of the camera microcomputer 20, and the SOUT terminal is connected with the LCLK terminal of the mount 1. Moreover, the VIN terminal is connected with V3 that is the same voltage as the operating source power voltage of the camera microcomputer 20, and the VOUT terminal is connected with V_(S) output from the voltage selector 51. In the level shifter 53, the SIN terminal is connected with the DCL_OUT terminal of the camera microcomputer 20, and the SOUT terminal is connected with the DCL terminal of the mount 1. Moreover, the VIN terminal is connected with V3 that is the same voltage as the operating source power voltage of the camera microcomputer 20, and the VOUT terminal is connected with V_(S) output from the voltage selector 51. In the level shifter 54, the SIN terminal is connected with the DLC terminal of the mount 1, and the SOUT terminal is connected with the DLC_IN terminal of the camera microcomputer 20. Moreover, the VIN terminal is connected with V_(S) output from the voltage selector 51, and the VOUT terminal is connected with V3 that is the same voltage as the operating source power voltage of the camera microcomputer 20. Thus, V_(S) (that is, V1 or V2) output from the voltage selector 51 is used as the communication voltage between the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100.

Description will be made of a voltage switching operation of the voltage converter 23. The camera microcomputer 20 controls the CNT_V_OUT terminal according to a logic table shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 FIRST SECOND NON-COMPLIANT LENS ATTACHED INTERCHANGEABLE LENS RESERVED LENS DTEF_IN 0x0000~0x007F 0x0280~0x037F 0x0080~0x027F 0x0380~0x03FF CNT_V_OUT H L — — COMMUNICATION V1 V2 NO COMMUNICATION VOLTAGE

As described above, the camera microcomputer 20 determines the type of the attached interchangeable lens 100 on the basis of the voltage value (AD converted value) input to the DTEF_IN terminal. Then, the camera microcomputer 20 controls a logic signal output from the CNT_V_OUT terminal depending on a result of the lens type determination of the attached interchangeable lens 100. Specifically, when determining from the voltage value of the DTEF_IN terminal that the attached interchangeable lens 100 is the first interchangeable lens, the camera microcomputer 20 outputs H from the CNT_V_OUT terminal to control the communication voltage to V1. On the other hand, when determining from the voltage value of the DTEF_IN terminal that the attached interchangeable lens 100 is the second interchangeable lens, the camera microcomputer 20 outputs L from the CNT_V_OUT terminal to control the communication voltage to V2.

Moreover, when detecting, as the voltage value (AD converted value) of the DTEF_IN terminal, a voltage out of the range of the above-mentioned first and second lens type determination references, the camera microcomputer 20 determines that the attached interchangeable lens is “a non-compliant lens” to which the camera 10 is not compliant or reserves the determination because of being unable to make a normal lens type determination. In these cases, the camera microcomputer 20 does not perform communication with the attached interchangeable lens.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show exemplary input and output timings of the MIF_IN terminal, the DTEF_IN terminal, the CNT_V_OUT terminal, the CNT_VDD_OUT terminal of the camera microcomputer 20 and the LCLK terminal of the mount 1. FIG. 15A shows the input and output timings when the first interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10, and FIG. 15B shows the input and output timings when the second interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10. In these figures, t0 represents a time at which voltage input to the DTEF_IN terminal is made during the lens attachment, and t1 represents a time at which voltage input to the MIF_IN terminal is made during the lens attachment. Moreover, t2 represents a time at which the camera 10 is activated (power is turned on), t3 represents a time at which the lens type determination and the communication voltage setting are made, and t4 represents a time at which the power supply to the attached interchangeable lens 100 and the communication therewith are started. The time t0 may be identical to the time t1. Although the times at which the voltage input to the DTEF_IN terminal and the voltage input to the MIF_IN terminal are made are respectively, as described above, t0 and t1, the camera microcomputer 20 reads the voltage value of the DTEF_IN terminal after the MIF_IN terminal becomes L.

In both the cases where the first interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10 and where the second interchangeable lens is attached thereto, the voltage input to the MIF_IN terminal is made (t1) after (or simultaneously with) the voltage input to the DTEF_IN terminal (t0). Then, after the camera 10 is activated (t2), the lens type determination and the communication voltage setting depending on the result of the lens type determination are performed (t3). Thereafter, the power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 and the communication therewith are started (t4). When the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10 after the camera 10 is activated, though t2 is before t0 and t1, the voltage input to the MIF_IN terminal is performed after (or simultaneously with) the voltage input to the DTEF_IN terminal.

When such operation (or control) for the lens attachment is performed, irrespective of whether the attached interchangeable lens 100 is the first interchangeable lens or the second interchangeable lens, and irrespective of the camera activation time, it is necessary that the connection of the DTEF terminal in the mount 1 is made before (or simultaneously with) the connection of the MIF terminal. A reason therefor is as follows. As described above, the camera microcomputer 20 reads the voltage value of the DTEF_IN terminal after the MIF_IN terminal becomes L. If the connection of the DTEF terminal is not made even though the MIF_IN terminal became L, the determination that the attached interchangeable lens is the above-mentioned non-compliant lens, and the camera microcomputer 20 does not perform the communication with the interchangeable lens 100. Therefore, in order to determine the type of the attached interchangeable lens 100 and perform the communication using a proper communication voltage with the interchangeable lens 100, it is necessary that the connection of the DTEF terminal is certainly made at the time when the MIF_IN terminal becomes L.

Next, description will be made of a configuration of a camera side connector including camera side contact pins constituting camera side ones of the above-described terminals provided in the mount 1 and a lens side connector including lens side contact patterns (accessory side contact surfaces) constituting lens side ones thereof in the mount 1.

FIG. 2A shows a camera side mount 201 viewed from a front side (object side) in an optical axis direction corresponding to a direction in which an optical axis of the image taking lens 101 extends. FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing the camera side connector (constituted by a camera side contact base 202 and the camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ to 202 a ₉) provided in the camera side mount 201. FIG. 2B shows a lens side mount 301 viewed from a rear side (image plane side) in the optical axis direction. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing the lens side connector (constituted by a lens side contact base 302 and the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉) provided in the lens side mount 301. Moreover, FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the camera side connector and the lens side connector in the coupling completion state.

The camera side mount 201 is fixed at a front end portion of a camera body (not shown) as a chassis. The camera side mount 201 has, at its outer circumference side front end, a ring-shaped mount base surface 201 b provided for securing a predetermined flange back, and also has, further inside than the mount base surface 201 b at three places in its circumferential direction (hereinafter referred to as “a mount circumferential direction”), camera side bayonet claws 201 a. Moreover, the camera side mount 201 is provided with a lock pin 205 for positioning of the camera side mount 201 and the lens side mount 301 in their relative rotational direction; the lock pin 205 is movable so as to protrude and retract with respect to the mount base surface 201 b. The lens side mount (accessory side mount) 301 is fixed to a rear end portion (not shown) of the interchangeable lens. The lens side mount 301 has, at its outer circumferential side rear end portion, a mount base surface 301 b that is a reference surface in the optical axis direction, and has, further inside than the mount base surface 301 b at three places in its circumferential direction (mount circumferential direction), lens side (accessory side) bayonet claws 301 a. Moreover, the lens side mount 301 is provided with a lock hole portion 301 c into which the lock pin 205 provided in the camera side mount 201 can be inserted; the lock hole portion 301 c is formed so as to open at the mount base surface 301 b. The lock hole portion 301 c has, in the mount circumferential direction (that is, a relative rotation direction of the camera side and lens side mounts 201 and 301), an inner diameter that can engage with the lock pin 205 with almost no backlash, and has, in a radial direction (hereinafter referred to as “a mount radial direction”) of the lens side mount 301, a longitudinal hole shape with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the lock pin 205 to some degree. The longitudinal hole shape is provided in order to enable smooth insertion of the lock pin 205 into the lock hole portion 301 c when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to (relatively rotated with respect to) the camera 10.

In a partial area further inside than the bayonet claws 201 a of the camera side mount 201, a camera side contact base (camera side contact holding portion) 202 that holds nine camera side contact pins 202 a ₁, 202 a ₂, . . . , 202 a ₉ arranged in the mount circumferential direction is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ to 202 a ₉ are inserted into pin holding hole portions formed in the camera side contact base 202 so as to independently protrude forward and retract rearward (that is, so as to be independently movable in protruding and retracting directions). At bottoms of the pin holding hole portions, a flexible printed wiring board 206 is disposed. Moreover, a contact spring (202 b ₁, 202 b ₂, . . . , 202 b ₉) is disposed between the flexible printed wiring board 206 and a flange portion of each camera side contact pin (202 a ₁, 202 a ₂, . . . , 202 a ₉); the contact spring biases the camera side contact pin so as to protrude it forward from the camera side contact base 202.

The camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ to 202 a ₉ are, in this order, connected with the DTEF terminal, the DGND terminal, the LCLK terminal, the DLC terminal, the DCL terminal, the PGND terminal, the VBAT terminal, the VDD terminal and the MIF terminal, described in FIG. 1B. The camera side contact pin 202 a ₂ corresponds to a fifth camera side contact pin, the camera side contact pins 202 a ₄ and 202 a ₅ each correspond to an eighth camera side contact pin, the camera side contact pin 202 a ₅ corresponds to a seventh camera side contact pin and the camera side contact pin 202 a ₈ correspond to a fourth camera side contact pin.

The camera side contact base 202, the camera side contact pins 202 a _(n) (n=1 to 9 and the same applies to the following description) and the contact springs 202 b _(n) and the flexible printed wiring board 206 constitute the camera side connector.

In a partial area further inside than the bayonet claws 301 a of the lens side mount 301, a lens side contact base (lens side contact holding portion) 302 that holds nine rectangular lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁, 302 a ₂, . . . , 302 a ₉ arranged in the mount circumferential direction is formed. The lens side contact pattern may have another shape than a rectangular shape, such as a circular shape.

The lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉ are connected with the lens controller 103 shown in FIG. 1B via a flexible printed wiring board 306. In portions of the lens side contact base 302 adjacent to pattern holding portions that respectively hold the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉, recessed (concave) portions 302 z that recess forward further than the pattern holding portions. Moreover, a slope 302 w is formed between each pattern holding portion and each recessed portion 302 z adjacent thereto. In the following description, the pattern holding portions in the lens side contact base 302 and the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉ are collectively referred to as “the lens side contact base 302”.

The lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉ correspond, in this order, to the camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ to 202 a ₉ connected with the DTEF terminal, the DGND terminal, the LCLK terminal, the DLC terminal, the DCL terminal, the PGND terminal, the VBAT terminal, the VDD terminal and the MIF terminal. The lens side contact pattern 302 a ₂ corresponds to a fifth accessory side contact surface, the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₄ and 302 a ₅ each correspond to an eighth accessory side contact surface, the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₅ corresponds to a seventh accessory side contact surface and the lens side contact pattern 202 a ₈ correspond to a fourth accessory side contact surface.

The lens side contact base 302 (including the recessed portion 302 z and the slope 302 w), the lens side contact patterns 302 a _(n) (n=1 to 9 and the same applies to the following description) and the flexible printed wiring board 306 constitute the lens side connector.

The camera side contact pin 202 a _(n) and the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) are arranged at positions at which they make a pair with each other (that is, positions at which they make contact with each other) in the coupling completion state of the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100. At a time of the lens attachment, the lens side contact base 302 (including the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) as mentioned above) coming in contact with the camera side contact pin 202 a _(n) pushes this camera side contact pin 202 a _(n) into the camera side contact base 202 with charging the contact spring 202 b _(n). As a result, the camera side contact pin 202 a _(n) makes contact with the corresponding (paired) lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) with pressure, and thereby electrical connection between the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 is established.

FIGS. 5A to 5H show a process (states) in which the lens side connector is connected with the camera side connector during the lens attachment. In a right part of each of FIGS. 5A to 5H, a relationship between the lock pin 205 and the lock hole portion 301 c in each state shown by each of FIGS. 5A to 5H.

FIG. 5A shows a state in which the lens side mount 301 is brought close to the camera side mount 201 in the optical axis direction to a position before each of the lens side bayonet claws 301 a is inserted between the two camera side bayonet claws 201 a. This state shown in FIG. 5A is hereinafter referred to as “a mount out-of-contact state”. FIG. 5B shows a state in which each of the lens side bayonet claws 301 a is inserted between the two camera side bayonet claws 201 a and the lens side mount 301 (that is, the mount base surface 301 b) is brought in contact with the camera side mount 201 (that is, the mount base surface 201 b) in the optical axis direction. This state shown in FIG. 5B is hereinafter referred to as “a mount in-contact state (first state)”.

FIGS. 5C to 5G show in a stepwise manner an intermediate state in which the lens side mount 301 is rotated with respect to the camera side mount 201 after the mount in-contact state toward the coupling completion state (second state). This state shown in FIGS. 5C to 5G is hereinafter referred to as “an intermediate rotation state”. FIG. 5H shows a state in which the lens side mount 301 is rotated with respect to the camera side mount 201 to the coupling completion state.

In the mount in-contact state shown in FIG. 5B, the pattern holding portion (the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₉ or a vicinity thereof) of the lens side contact base 302 makes contact with the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁. As a result, the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ is pushed into the camera side contact base 202 as compared with the mount out-of-contact state shown in FIG. 5A.

Of the multiple (n) camera side contact pins 202 a _(m), the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ for the DTEF terminal which makes contact with the lens side contact base 302 in the mount in-contact state is hereinafter referred to also as “a first camera side contact pin”. On the other hand, the camera side contact pins 202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉ other than the first camera side contact pin, that is, the camera side contact pins that do not make contact with the lens side contact base 302 in the mount in-contact state are hereinafter each referred to also as “a second camera side contact pin”. Of the multiple second camera side contact pins, the camera side contact pin 202 a ₉ for the MIF terminal is a third camera side contact pin.

In the state of the mount in-contact state, the lock pin 205 is pushed by the mount base surface 301 b of the lens side mount 301 at a position away from the lock hole portion 301 c. Therefore, subsequent rotation of the lens side mount 301 with respect to the camera side mount 201 is allowed.

After the mount in-contact state shown in FIG. 5B, via the intermediate rotation state shown in FIGS. 5C to 5G and until reaching the coupling completion state, the lens side bayonet claws 301 a and the camera side bayonet claws 201 a completely engage with each other. During the intermediate rotation state, the lens side contact base 302 pushes also the second camera side contact pins 202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉ into the camera side contact base 202 while sliding with respect to these camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ to 202 a ₉. Thus, finally, in the coupling completion state shown in FIG. 5H, the paired camera side contact pin 202 a, and lens side contact pattern 302 a, make contact with each other with pressure.

Moreover, in the coupling completion state, since position of the lock pin 205 coincides with that of the lock hole portion 301 c in the mount circumferential direction, the lock pin 205 protruding from the mount base surface 201 b of the camera side mount 201 is inserted into the lock hole portion 301 c of the lens side mount 301. Thereby, the coupling completion state is maintained until the lock pin 205 is pulled out from the lock hole portion 301 c by a lock releasing mechanism (not shown).

Description will here be made of a process that the camera side contact pins 202 a, and the lens side contact patterns 302 a, make contact with each other during the intermediate rotation state shown in FIGS. 5D to 5G with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D.

In the following description, a position on the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) where the camera side contact pin 202 a _(n) in the coupling completion state is referred to as “a pin contact position”. A pitch of the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ to 302 a ₉ corresponds to a distance between the pin contact positions on the lens side contact patterns 302 a _(n) and 302 a _(n+1) adjacent to each other.

Moreover, a distance between the pin contact position on the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) and a left end of the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) in the figure (that is, an end in a direction in which the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n) is moved with respect to the camera side contact pin 202 a _(n)) is represented by La_(n) (La₁ to La₉). The distances La₁ to La₉ are set to have the following relationship: La ₁ >La ₂ ,La ₃ ,La ₄ ,La ₅ ,La ₆ ,La ₈ >La ₉ >La ₇.

This relationship can be reworded, for example, as follows with focusing on the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ and 302 a ₉ and the camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ and 202 a ₉. A distance in the mount circumferential direction between a portion, of the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁, where the contact with the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ starts in the intermediate rotation state and a portion, of the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₉, where the contact with the camera side contact pin 202 a ₉ starts in the intermediate rotation state is represented by L_(A). The wording “the portion where the contact starts” means, when the contact pattern has a rectangular shape, a side of the rectangular contact pattern, and when the contact pattern has a circular shape, an apex of a circular arc of the circular contact pattern. The distance in the mount circumferential direction can be also said as an angle. Furthermore, a distance (angle) in the mount circumferential direction between (central axes of) the camera side contact pins 202 a ₁ and 202 a ₉ is represented by L_(B). The distance L_(A) is shorter than the distance L_(B) (in other words, the distance L_(B) is longer than the distance L_(A)).

When the lens side mount 301 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 5C, the paired camera side contact pin (DTEF terminal pin) 202 a ₁ and lens side contact pattern (DTEF terminal pattern) 302 a ₁ start their contact with each other as shown in FIG. 6A. At this point, since La₁ to La₉ (that is, L_(A) and L_(B)) have the above-mentioned relationship, the other paired camera side contact pin (202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉) and lens side contact pattern (302 a ₂ to 302 a ₉) do not make contact with each other.

When the lens side mount 301 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6A, the paired camera side contact pin (202 a ₂ to 202 a ₅ and 202 a ₈) and lens side contact pattern (302 a ₂ to 302 a ₅ and 302 a ₈) simultaneously start their contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 6B and 5E. At this point, the paired camera side contact pin (202 a ₇ and 202 a ₉) and lens side contact pattern (302 a ₇ and 302 a ₉) do not make contact with each other.

When the lens side mount 301 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6B, the paired camera side contact pin (MIF terminal pin) 202 a ₉ and lens side contact pattern (MIF terminal pattern) 302 a ₉ start their contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 6C and 5F. At this point, since La₉ and La₇ have the following relationship: La ₉ >La ₇,

the paired camera side contact pin 202 a ₇ and lens side contact pattern 302 a ₇ do not make contact with each other.

When the lens side mount 301 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6C, the paired camera side contact pin (VBAT terminal pin) 202 a ₇ and lens side contact pattern (VBAT terminal pattern) 302 a ₇ start their contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 6D and 5G.

Then, when the lens side mount 301 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6D, the lens and camera side mounts 301 and 201 reach the coupling completion state as shown in FIGS. 6E and 5H.

As described above, the order in which the paired camera side contact pin and lens side contact pattern make contact with each other is a descending order of the distance La_(n), and therefore the paired camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ and lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ constituting the DTEF terminal first start their contact with each other.

The distance L_(A) and the distance L_(B) may be equal to each other. In this case, it is desirable to increase the distance L_(A) so as to cause it to coincide with the distance L_(B) such that a timing at which the DTEF terminal pin and the DTEF terminal pattern make contact with each other coincides with a timing at which the DTEF terminal pin and the DTEF terminal pattern make contact with each other. With this distance stetting, a width of the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ in the mount circumferential direction may be increased on an opposite side portion (right portion in FIGS. 6A to 6E) to the portion where the contact with the camera side contact pin starts. In the case where the distance L_(A) and the distance L_(B) are equal to each other, when the lens side mount 301 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 5C, the camera side contact pins (DTEF and MIF terminal pins) 202 a ₁ and 202 a ₉ and the lens side contact patterns 302 a ₁ and 202 a ₉ corresponding thereto simultaneously start their contact.

Next, description will be made of problems relating to the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ and a solution thereof. If the lens side mount 301 makes hard contact with the camera side mount 201 when these mounts 301 and 201 reach the mount in-contact state from the mount out-of contact state, the lens side contact base 302 strongly hits the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁. The first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ is inserted movably (that is, with an engaging gap allowing its movement) into the pin holding hole portion formed in the camera side contact base 202. Thus, impact due to the hit is likely to cause tilt or deformation (such as bending) of the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ from a position nearly straightly extending in the optical axis direction, according to the engaging gap between the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ and the pin holding hole portion. In this case, even though the mounts 301 and 201 reach the coupling completion state, the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ does not make normal contact with the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ pairing therewith, which may cause communication error between the camera and the interchangeable lens or power source short-circuiting.

Thus, in this embodiment, a width in the mount circumferential direction and a height in the mount radial direction of the lens side contact pattern 302 a _(n), a pitch and an interval of the lens side contact patterns 302 a _(n), a pitch of the camera side contact pins 202 n and a diameter of the camera side contact pin 202 n are set as follows.

[The Width and Height of the Lens Side Contact Pattern (Accessory Side Contact Surface)]

The lens side contact patterns 302 a ₂ to 302 a ₉ respectively pairing with (or corresponding to) the second camera side contact pins 202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉ are hereinafter referred to as “second lens side contact patterns” (second accessory side contact surfaces). The second lens side contact patterns 302 a ₂ to 302 a ₉ are contact surfaces that do not make contact with the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ in the coupling completion state. The lens side contact pattern 302 a ₉ for the MIF terminal corresponds to a third accessory side contact surface. The width of these second lens side contact patterns 302 a ₂ to 302 a ₉ is set to L1 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A. In FIG. 8A, the second camera side contact pin is denoted by 202 a _(x), and the second camera side contact pins adjacent to each other are denoted by 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1). Moreover, in FIGS. 7A and 8A, the second lens side contact pattern corresponding to the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) is denoted by 302 a _(x), and the second lens side contact patterns adjacent to each other are denoted by 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1).

The width L1 is set, as shown in FIG. 8A, to be larger by a predetermined margin than a diameter V of a pin contact area W of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) with which the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) nearly straightly extending in the optical axis direction without being deformed makes contact. A tip of the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) is worn away by repeated sliding of the tip with respect to the lens side contact patterns at times of the lens attachment and detachment. Therefore, the pin contact area W where the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) makes contact is set in consideration of this wear. The diameter V is a width (diameter) of a portion of the tip of the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x), portion which makes contact with the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x).

Moreover, the height of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) is set to L3 as shown in FIG. 7A.

On the other hand, the lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ pairing with (or corresponding to) the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ is hereinafter referred to as “a first lens side contact pattern” (first accessory side contact surface). The width of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ is set to L2 larger than L1 as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B. In FIG. 8B, the first camera side contact pin is denoted by 202 a _(y), and the first and second camera side contact pins adjacent to each other are denoted by 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1). Moreover, in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the first lens side contact pattern corresponding to the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) is denoted by 302 a _(y), and the first and second lens side contact patterns adjacent to each other are denoted by 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1).

FIG. 8B shows the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) whose tip is displaced by tilt or deformation of the pin 202 a _(y) from its original position nearly straightly extending in the optical axis direction. The width L2 is set, as shown in FIG. 8B, to be larger by a predetermined margin than a diameter VV of a possible pin contact area WW of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y). The possible pin contact area WW corresponds to a possible displacement amount (designed value) of the tip of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y). For example, the possible pin contact area WW is an area where, if the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) is deformed such that the tip thereof exceeds this area, a determination of failure or abnormality is made.

The tip of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) is also worn away by repeated sliding of the tip with respect to the lens side contact patterns at the times of the lens attachment and detachment. Therefore, the possible pin contact area WW, of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y), where the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) is likely to make contact is set in consideration of this wear. The diameter VV is a width (diameter) of a portion of the tip of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y), portion which makes contact with the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y).

Moreover, the height of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) is set to L3 that is same as the height of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) as shown in FIG. 7B. Although this embodiment describes the case where the height L3 of each lens side contact pattern is larger than the widths L1 and L2, the height L3 may be equal to the width L1 or L2, and may be smaller than the width L1 or L2.

Furthermore, although FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically show that the pin contact position is located at an approximate center of the lens side contact pattern in the mount diameter and circumferential directions, the pin contact position is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6E, each pin contact position is located at an off-center position of the lens side contact pattern in the mount diameter direction.

As described above, in this embodiment, the width of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) corresponding to the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) in which tilt or deformation is likely to be caused is set to be larger than that of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) corresponding to the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) in which such tilt and deformation is not caused. Thereby, if the tilt or deformation is caused in the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁) due to the contact (hit) of the lens side contact base 302 to the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y), normal contact (electrical connection) of the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) and the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) (302 a ₁) is secured, and thereby can prevent the communication error between the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the power source short-circuiting.

FIG. 3B shows the widths L1 and L2 as angular range θ_(L1) and θ_(L2) on the lens side contact base 302 formed into a circular arc shape in the lens side mount 301.

[The Pitch and Interval of the Lens Side Contact Patterns (Accessory Side Contact Surfaces) and the Pitch of the Camera Side Contact Pins]

The pitch and interval of the second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1) (302 a ₂ to 302 a ₉) are respectively set to P1 and Q1 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A. The pitch of the lens side contact patterns in this embodiment is a distance in the mount circumferential direction between the pin contact positions on the lens side contact patterns adjacent to each other. Moreover, the interval of the lens side contact patterns is a distance in the mount circumferential direction between one lens side contact pattern and the lens side contact pattern adjacent thereto (between sides of the rectangular contact patterns). The interval of the lens side contact patterns has an important implication for the contact of the lens side contact pattern and the camera side contact pin. Moreover, the pitch of the second camera side contact pins 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1) (that is, a distance between center axes of these pins) is also set to P1 so as to coincide with the pitch P1 of the second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1).

The pitch P1 and interval Q1 are decided so as to satisfy the following conditions in addition to a precondition that a pin contact area of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) where the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) makes contact is W.

As a first condition, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is necessary that one second camera side contact pin 202 a _(x) does not simultaneously make contact with the second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1) adjacent to each other during the rotation of the interchangeable lens for the lens attachment and detachment. That is, it is necessary to set the interval Q1 to be larger than a width V of the pin contact area W (Q1>V).

As a second condition, it is necessary that one second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x+1) does not simultaneously make contact with the second camera side contact pins 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1) adjacent to each other.

As a third condition, it is necessary to satisfy the above-mentioned first and second conditions even if the distance between the second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) is narrowed due to positional error thereof.

Satisfaction of the first to third conditions makes it possible to prevent failures, such as the power source short-circuiting, caused by simultaneous conduction of the mutually adjacent second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1) or the mutually adjacent second camera side contact pins 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1).

On the other hand, the pitch and interval of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) (302 a ₁) and the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y+1) (302 a ₂) are respectively set to P2 and Q2 that are respectively larger than P1 and Q1, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B. The pitch of the first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) (that is, a distance between center axes of these pins) is also set to P2 so as to coincide with the pitch P2 of the first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1).

The pitch P2 and interval Q2 are decided on a basis of a precondition that the possible pin contact area of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) where the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) makes contact is WW larger than W. Therefore, the pitch P2 and interval Q2 are decided on a basis of another precondition that the width of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) is L2 larger than L1. Furthermore, the pitch P2 and interval Q2 are decided so as to satisfy the following conditions.

As a first condition, as shown in FIG. 9B, it is necessary that the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) does not simultaneously make contact with the first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1) adjacent to each other during the rotation of the interchangeable lens for the lens attachment and detachment. That is, it is necessary to set the interval Q2 to be larger than a width VV of the possible pin contact area WW (Q2>VV). In addition, P2 is larger than VV (P2>VV).

FIG. 9C shows a case where the pitch and interval of the first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1) adjacent to each other are set to P1 and Q1. In this case, the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) simultaneously makes contact with the first and second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1).

As described above, the contact (hit) of the lens side contact base 302 to the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ is likely to cause the tilt or deformation of the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁. If the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ simultaneously makes contact with the DTEF terminal pattern that is the first lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ and the DGND terminal pattern that is the second lens side contact pattern 302 a ₂ adjacent thereto, the following failures are caused. As mentioned above, the camera microcomputer 20 determines that the type of the attached interchangeable lens 100 on the basis of the voltage value of the DTEF_IN terminal. If the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ simultaneously makes contact with the DTEF terminal pattern and the DGND terminal pattern, the DTEF terminal pattern and the DGND terminal pattern are conducted with each other, which is likely to cause the camera microcomputer 20 to make an erroneous determination of the type (lens type) of the attached interchangeable lens 100. Since the camera microcomputer 20 sets the communication voltage with the interchangeable lens 100 based on that determination result, the determination result indicating a different lens type from that of the actually attached interchangeable lens prevents setting of a proper communication voltage, which makes it impossible to perform good communication. Thus, this embodiment increases the interval between the first lens side contact pattern 302 a ₁ and the second lens side pattern 302 a ₂ adjacent thereto, in consideration of the tilt and deformation of the camera side contact pin 202 a ₁.

As a second condition, it is necessary that one first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y+1) does not simultaneously make contact with the first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) adjacent to each other.

Furthermore, as a third condition, it is necessary to satisfy the above first and second conditions even if the distance between the first lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) is narrowed due to positional error thereof.

Satisfaction of the first to third conditions makes it possible to prevent failures, such as the power source short-circuiting, caused by simultaneous conduction of the mutually adjacent first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1) or the mutually adjacent first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the pitches P1 and P2 as angle ranges θ_(P1) and θ_(P2) on the camera side and lens side contact bases 202 and 302 formed into a circular arc shape in the camera side and lens side mounts 201 and 301. Moreover, FIG. 3B shows the intervals Q1 and Q2 as angle ranges θ_(Q1) and θ_(Q2) on the circular arc-shaped lens side contact base 302 formed in the lens side mount 301.

When considering a rotation amount required for the bayonet coupling, in order to reduce the rotation amount, it is essentially desirable to reduce the pitch of the camera side contact pins as much as possible as long as the power source short-circuiting or the like can be prevented. However, it is necessary for the pitch of the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ and the second camera side contact pin 202 a ₂ adjacent thereto to consider, as mentioned above, the tilt and the deformation of the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ due to the contact (hit) of the lens side contact base 302. Thus, this embodiment increases the pitch of the first camera side contact pin 202 a ₁ and the second camera side contact pin 202 a ₂ adjacent thereto as compared with that of the other second camera side contact pins 202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉.

Although this embodiment describes the case where one first lens side contact pattern and one camera side contact pin are provided, a plurality of the first lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y)′ may be provided together with a plurality of the first camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y)′ as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, it is desirable to respectively set the pitch and interval between the first lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y)′ adjacent thereto to P2 and Q2, and to set the pitch of the first camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y)′ adjacent to each other to P2. The pitch and the interval between the first and second lens side contact patterns adjacent to each other are set to P2 and Q2, and the pitch between the first and second camera side contact pins is set to P2. However, it is not necessarily needed that the pitch and interval of the mutually adjacent first and second lens side contact patterns (the pitch of the mutually adjacent first and second camera side contact pins) are same as those of the mutually adjacent first lens side contact patterns (the pitch of the mutually adjacent first camera side contact pins). In other words, when the former pitch and interval are represented by P2 a and Q2 a and the latter pitch and interval are represented by P2 b and Q2 b, they may have the following relationships: P2a≠P2b (where P1<P2a), and Q2a≠Q2b (where Q1<Q2a).

As described above, this embodiment uses the first and second lens side contact patterns and the first and second camera side contact pins which satisfy the following conditions (1) to (3). In the following conditions, as mentioned above, P2 includes P2 a and P2 b, and Q2 includes Q2 a and Q2 b. L1<L2 (θ_(L1)<θ_(L2))  (1) P1<P2 (θ_(P1)<θ_(P2))  (2) Q1<Q2 (θ_(Q1)<θ_(Q2))  (3)

The satisfaction of the conditions (1) to (3) enables securement of normal contact (electrical connection) of the first camera side contact pin and the first lens side contact pattern to make contact therewith even if the tilt or deformation is caused in the first camera side contact pin due to the hard contact (hit) of the lens side contact base to the first camera side contact pin. Consequently, the communication error between the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the failure of the camera 10 or the interchangeable lens 100 due to the power source short-circuiting can be prevented.

In addition, as a condition for operation (or control) at the time of the attachment of the interchangeable lens to the camera, it is desirable to satisfy a fourth condition that the above-mentioned distance L_(A) is shorter than or equal to the distance L_(B). In other words, it is desirable that at least one of the width L2, the pitch P2 and the interval Q2 is set such that the connection of the DTEF terminal is established earlier than or simultaneously with that of the MIF terminal.

[The Diameter of the Camera Side Contact Pin]

As described above, the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁) is likely to be deformed, such as being bent, by receiving the hard hit of the lens side contact base 302 in the mount in-contact state. Such deformation can be suppressed by setting a diameter φD2 of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁) to be larger than a diameter φD1 of the second camera side contact pin 202 a _(y+1) (202 a ₂ to 202 a ₉) as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B to increase rigidity of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁).

In other words, the diameter φD2 of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁) and the diameter φD1 of the second camera side camera side contact pin may be set so as to satisfy the following condition (4): φD1<φD2  (4)

The satisfaction of the condition (4) can makes the communication error and the power source short-circuiting due to the deformation of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) more unlikely to be caused.

It is not necessarily needed to satisfy all the above-described conditions (1) to (4); it is only necessary to satisfy at least one of the conditions (1), (2) and (4). The satisfaction of at least one of the conditions (1), (2) and (4) enables securement of the normal contact of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) (202 a ₁) tilted or deformed and the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) (302 a ₁). Moreover, the satisfaction of the condition (3) enables solution of the problem of the power source short-circuiting described above.

Furthermore, the satisfaction of the above-mentioned condition that the distance L_(A) is shorter than the distance L_(B) (or the distance L_(B) is longer than the distance L_(A)) or the distance L_(A) is equal to the distance L_(B) enables setting of the proper communication voltage for the type of the interchangeable lens attached to the camera before the communication between the camera and the interchangeable lens is started. Such preset of the proper communication voltage enables prevention of the communication error due to an improper communication voltage.

Embodiment 2

FIGS. 11A to 11C show, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a case of satisfying the above-described conditions (2) and (3), but not satisfying the conditions (1) and (4). In this embodiment, the pitch P2 and the interval Q2 between the mutually adjacent first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1) are larger than the pitch P1 and the interval Q1 between the mutually adjacent second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1). Moreover, the pitch P2 between the mutually adjacent first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) is also larger than the pitch P1 between the mutually adjacent second camera side contact pins 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1).

However, the width of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) is equal to L1 that is the width of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) (302 a _(y+1)). However, L1 in this embodiment is set to be larger than L1 shown in Embodiment 1, and is set to be larger than the possible pin contact area WW, of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y), where the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) may make contact.

In addition, the diameters of the first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) (202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1)) are all equal to φD1.

Also in this case, normal contact of the tilted or deformed first camera side contact pin and the first lens side contact pattern can be secured, which can prevent the communication error between the camera and the interchangeable lens and the power source short-circuiting.

Moreover, as a further another embodiment, in a case of satisfying the condition (2), but not satisfying the conditions (1), (3) and (4), normal contact of the tilted or deformed first camera side contact pin and the first lens side contact pattern can be secured, which can prevent the communication error between the camera and the interchangeable lens.

Embodiment 3

FIGS. 11D to 11F show, as a third embodiment of the present invention, a case of satisfying the above-described condition (1), but not satisfying the conditions (2), (3) and (4).

In this embodiment, the width L2 of the first lens side contact pattern 302 a _(y) is larger than the width L1 of the second lens side contact pattern 302 a _(x) (302 a _(y+1)). However, the pitch and the interval between the mutually adjacent first and second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(y) and 302 a _(y+1) are same as the pitch P1 and the interval Q1 between the mutually adjacent second lens side contact patterns 302 a _(x) and 302 a _(x+1). Moreover, the pitch and the interval between the mutually adjacent first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) is same as the pitch P1 between the mutually adjacent second camera side contact pins 202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1). Furthermore, the diameters of the first and second camera side contact pins 202 a _(y) and 202 a _(y+1) (202 a _(x) and 202 a _(x+1)) are all equal to φD1.

Also in this case, normal contact of the tilted or deformed first camera side contact pin and the first lens side contact pattern can be secured, which can prevent the communication error between the camera and the interchangeable lens.

In addition, as a further another embodiment, in a case of satisfying the conditions (1) and (2), but not satisfying the conditions (3) and (4), the deformation of the first camera side contact pin 202 a _(y) can be unlikely to be caused. Therefore, normal contact between the first camera side contact pin and the first lens side contact pattern can be secured.

Although each of the above embodiments described the case of setting the heights of the first and second lens side contact patterns to L3, the heights thereof may be different from each other.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2012-085190 and 2012-085223 filed on Apr. 4, 2012, and 2013-052907 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera accessory comprising: a first tact surface connected to an element that indicates a predetermined voltage and to be used for indicating type of the camera accessory; a second contact surface to be used for indicating a reference potential of a signal level of a communication control system; and a third contact surface to be used for a communication clock signal, wherein the first contact surface, the second contact surface and the third contact surface are lined up in this consecutive order, and wherein a gap width between the first contact surface and the second contact surface adjacent to each other s larger than a gap width between the second contact surface and the third contact surface adjacent to each other.
 2. A camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact surface is used for indicating the predetermined voltage depending on the type of the camera accessory while the camera accessory is connected to a camera.
 3. A camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein a pitch between the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface adjacent to each other is larger than a pitch between the second electrical contact surface and the third electrical contact surface adjacent to each other.
 4. A camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein a width, along a rotational direction of a mount, of the first contact surface is larger than a width, along a rotational direction of the mount, of the second contact surface.
 5. A camera accessory according to claim 1, further comprising: a fourth electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the third electrical contact surface, wherein the fourth electrical contact surface is used for transmitting communication data to a can connected to the camera accessory.
 6. A camera accessory according to claim 5, further comprising: a fifth electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the fourth electrical contact surface, wherein the fifth electrical contact surface is used for receiving communication data from the camera.
 7. A camera accessory according to claim 6, further comprising: a sixth electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the fifth electrical contact surface, wherein the sixth electrical contact surface is used for indicating a reference potential of source power to drive a actuator provided in the camera accessory.
 8. A camera accessory according to claim 7, further comprising: a seventh electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the sixth electrical contact surface, wherein the seventh electrical contact surface is used for receiving the source power to drive the actuator.
 9. A camera accessory according to claim 8, further comprising: an eighth electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the seventh electrical contact surface, wherein the eighth contact surface is used for indicating the signal level of the communication control system.
 10. A camera accessory according to claim 9, further comprising: a ninth electrical contact surface provided adjacent to the eighth electrical contact surface, wherein the ninth electrical contact surface is not connected to the actuator and the communication control system.
 11. A camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact surface is connected to a resistance as the element. 